Carcass wrote:
If a23=b23 for a≠0 and b≠0, then which of the following statements must be true?
Indicate all possible values.
◻ ab=1
◻ ab=−1
◻ (ab)2=1
◻ a=23
◻ a2=b2
◻ √a=√b
We have:
a23=b23Cubing both sides:
a2=b2 ... Option E is correct
Dividing throughout by
b2:
a2b2=1 ... Option C is correct
Why are options A, B and F incorrect? We have already obtained:
a2=b2 Taking square root:
|a|=|b| =>a=b or
=>a=−bHowever, we have to choose the options that
MUST be true (Note: Options A and B
may be true)
If either of
a and
b are negative (from above), their square root would become imaginary.Hence, option F is also incorrect
Answer: C and E